Sources tell Navy Times the leadership change occurred Friday afternoon in a low-key event held Friday afternoon at CNP’s office in Arlington, Va.

“At 1330 this afternoon I relieved [Vice Adm. Scott] Van Buskirk as Chief of Naval Personnel/N1,” Moran wrote in an email to his leadership Aug. 2. “This is an incredibly humbling experience.”

Moran thanked Van Buskirk for his service and for “turning over the keys of a great running car.”

But in a message to his new staff, Moran made clear there is much work to be done.

“I am truly looking forward to the challenges we all face — the magnitude of the potential fiscal challenge is not lost on me, and we will work together to bring solutions forward that are in the best interest of the U.S. Navy,” Moran wrote.

In addition to a possible downsizing, Moran prepared his staff for a focus on force readiness, manning distribution and sailor resiliency.

He added that with all the uncertainty, it’s paramount that Navy sailors and civilians, as well as their families, trusts the work his office is doing.

Moran, whose nomination for the job was approved Aug. 1 by the Senate, will also hold the title of deputy chief of naval operations for manpower, personnel, training and education.

Van Buskirk, who took over the job in October of 2011, will take a week of leave and retire Aug. 9.